Members of the genus Strophurus (colloquially referred to as striped, jewelled, phasmid and spiny-tailed geckos) are all characterized by the ability to exude a viscous, highly adhesive, slightly malodorous and distasteful substance from paired, mid-dorsal glands running the length of the tail (Greer 1989). These glands largely replace adipose bodies present in the tails of most other (closely related) gecko species and are coupled with reduced frequency of tail autotomy, suggesting functional importance (Rosenberg & Russell 1980). Most Strophurus species forcibly eject exudate towards antagonists and can do so accurately up to 50 cm (Greer 1989). This remarkable morphology and behaviour has evolved twice within Gekkota (occurring also within New Caledonian diplodactylids of the genus Eurydactylodes; Böhme & Sering, 1997), but is otherwise unique within squamates. Some Strophurus are also referred to as ‘phasmid geckos’ owing to their resemblance to stick insects (Phasmatidae) in their elongate and gracile proportions, camouflage and movement.